“Called to Act Justly” and “Globalisation” are topics in the Year 8 Religious Education and Geography programs respectively, and this Lent, teachers and students at San Clemente have combined classes and explored the notion of being “Globally Called”. Their efforts satisfied curriculum requirements and made use of material prepared by Caritas Australia.

The culmination of the initiative was the presentation of the students’ learnings over the period of the unit. Each group had studied the activities Caritas was undertaking in selected communities: Peru, Nepal, Indonesia, Niger, Fiji and Indigenous Australia. The students set up ‘stations’ which included video displays, maps, photos, handouts, carefully considered slogans and even homemade biscuits!

Visitors representing the Catholic Schools Office, other diocesan schools, Caritas Australia and the diocesan offices were warmly welcomed and given the opportunity to share what the students had learned. It was clear that these young men and women were not only well informed, but articulate and eager to pass on their insights.

Rydel Limjoco shared the story of Karen, who had accumulated a great deal of debt but was helped by Caritas to clear her debt and gain life skills to help her make wiser choices in the future.

Grace Compton studied Indonesia and realised, “Our country’s very lucky and Indonesia does struggle. They grow all their own crops and work extremely hard. By donating to Caritas we can help the Indonesian communities.”

Regional Engagement Manager, Caritas Australia, Jeni Miller, was a special guest and was clearly impressed by the depth of the “Globally Called” project. “What an amazing and adventurous thing to do!” she said to the assembled students. Afterwards, she reflected, "The Year 8 students have shown great initiative and in-depth study, not only to create eye catching displays but articulate the work Caritas does to help the poorest of the poor around the world. The students’ ability to relate the work of Caritas and Catholic Social Teaching principles was exceptional. Their teachers have every reason to be very proud of their students!"

Rose McAllister reminded the students, as they gathered to cut a wondrous Caritas Australia cake, that not only were they researching independently and creating new things, they were also learning “what it really means to be Catholic”.

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